Ashleigh Plumptre: Super Falcons star reveals 'strong purpose' behind move to Saudi Arabia

Nigerian international Ashleigh Plumptre has unexpectedly emerged as a champion of the growth of women’s football in Saudi Arabia. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria can report this after Plumptre revealed in an interview that her Saudi Arabia adventure is fueled by a strong desire for something bigger than her. 

The 25-year-old’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad Ladies in the summer is part of an impressive 86 per cent rise in the number of registered women’s football players in the country in the last two years.

Plumptre is not just an ambassador for the sport but is looking to be a catalyst for change and a beacon of hope and inspiration for others in the Middle Eastern nation. 

In an interview with Arab News, the former Leicester City Ladies star outlined that her mission in Saudi Arabia stretches beyond the pitch. 

“It would be cool to do a class where I can just encourage kids like I’ve done with my younger siblings to just draw themselves or write their names and the things they’re passionate about,” Plumptre said.

"It doesn’t have to be football; it could be art, it could be music. But I think your hobbies say a lot about you and allow you to express yourself in some way, which I think is really important."

As an ambassador of Menphys, a Leicestershire charity that supports young people with disabilities, including her autistic brother Lewis, the defender is looking to leverage her transformative power of engagement and inclusivity to advocate for others.

“I feel I have a strong purpose in being here [in Saudi Arabia], and that always goes beyond football,” she added with conviction. 

Despite her lofty dreams and ideas, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup star does not see herself as a trailblazer.

“It’s not really trailblazing for me because I’m stepping into something that I believe I was always meant to do,” she concluded.

Plumptre has scored two hat-tricks for her new side, Ittihad Ladies, since she made the switch as a free agent in the summer.